SafeWork NSW has released its 2026-27 Regulatory Statement, setting out the regulator’s compliance and enforcement priorities for the year ahead.

The statement identifies four key focus areas: falls from height, psychosocial risks, hazardous substances, and mobile plant, vehicles and fixed machinery. The document outlines how SafeWork NSW intends to direct its inspection and enforcement resources, reflecting the hazards most frequently linked to serious injuries and fatalities across the state.

Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of workplace death and serious injury in NSW, particularly in construction. Psychosocial risk, covering issues such as workload, bullying and harassment, has become an increasing enforcement focus following recent changes to work health and safety laws. Hazardous substances and moving plant round out the priority list, both persistent contributors to serious incidents across manufacturing, agriculture and logistics.

Businesses operating in the identified priority areas can expect increased proactive compliance activity, including site visits and targeted campaigns, over the coming year.

The Regulatory Statement is available on the SafeWork NSW website and is intended to help businesses anticipate where regulatory attention will be directed through to mid-2027. Source: SafeWork NSW media release, www.safework.nsw.gov.au